Infant emergencies can be a great challenge to handle, especially if you don't know what to do in such situations. It's important to note that injuries in infants are handled differently from injuries in adults. Below is an outline of common infant emergencies and tips on how to handle each situation.

Infant Burns

If your child gets a mild burn, the first thing you should do is uncover the burned area if it's covered. After that run cold water on the area for about 20 minutes. Make sure you move fast because the longer you wait the more the injury will worsen.

If your infant is frantic and won't stand running water, then get a cold compress. If you use ice, don't place it directly on the child, instead cover it with a towel or piece of cloth. Afterwards, use a bandage to cover the area. Remember, to observe the burned area frequently, and in case you notice a blister or open wound get your child to the pediatrician.

Note that severe burns are medical emergencies and you should rush your baby to the hospital immediately.

Accidental Falls

If your infant falls off an elevated surface, for example the changing table, don't panic or start calling for help, instead pick the baby up. Cuddle and sooth your baby to stop the crying, and also prevent the baby from experiencing trauma. Also, check to see if your baby has incurred any injuries before going to the hospital.

However, ensure you take your baby for a medical checkup even if there are no visible injuries. Also, if your baby presents any unfamiliar tendencies after the injury, go back to the hospital and explain your observations to the doctor. Signs of severe injuries include loss of consciousness, seizures, decreased attentiveness, and unusual vomiting.

Fever

Fever in infants can be detected easily using a thermometer. Temperatures of 37.8 C and above taken from the mouth or 37.2 C and above taken from the armpit indicate that your child has a fever. Your child may also present other symptoms such as fussiness, heavy sweating, and distress.

Give your child plenty of water and other fluids to prevent dehydration. Also, remove any heavy clothing on the child and dress them in light clothing. Sponging your baby with a cloth dipped in warm water is also helpful, however, avoid hot or cold water. Make sure you visit the pediatrician once the fever goes down.

If you notice that your child has blue skin, seizures, can't breathe or is unresponsive, then this is a medical emergency, and you should rush to the hospital.

Infant emergencies occur from all manner of things even the unimaginable minor issues. It's important for you to you train on how to do basic first aid for infants and also invest in a complete first aid kit.

About Me

I found that when I moved into this house I was really paranoid about people going in the pool because I wasn't that confident that I'd be able to do anything if they drowned. I know that most Aussies learn to swim early on, but I'm from Britain, and I'm still not a confident swimmer as an adult. I finally decided to do an emergency care course, and it made so much difference to my confidence in and around the water. I started this blog for other people like me, who want to be more confident enjoying time in the water with their family.